High Horse
None of us has any reason to get on a high horse. However, when life goes well, we face the temptation to act high and mighty.
To get on a high horse means to act superior.
Years ago, people of high rank rode tall horses. That custom became a symbol of superiority.
If we are on a high horse, we believe or act like we are better than others. That may mean higher:
- Morals
- Power
- Finances
- Position
However, the higher the horse, the farther the fall.
When we look down on other people, we lower ourselves. Our highfalutin ways end up hurting rather than helping. They also make other people respect us less, not more.
If we fail or fall from a high rank, the loss hurts worse.
We want confidence but not arrogance.
To be more effective, we need to get off our high horse and work with one another.
As we learn and grow together, we become better people. Rather than look down on others, we want to lift them up.
We travel this journey of life together. Why not unite and achieve more?
That makes good horse sense. Don’t you agree?
“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor” (Proverbs 29:23 NIV).
Thanks to Pat Childress Conner Stapp for the suggestion and to Chelsey Stone for the photo.
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7 thoughts on “High Horse”
Guilty as charged. Having fallen from those lofty heights a few times, I’ve learned to avoid them, but it has happened. Thanks Ms. Diana.
So have I, J.D. It isn’t fun, but it teaches valuable lessons, doesn’t it? As you said, we learn to avoid those high horses.
I never knew the history on this saying. And I love your lesson: The higher the horse, the farther the fall.”
Thank you, Tracy. When Pat made her suggestion, she said, “The higher the horse, the farther the fall.” That sold me on the expression’s importance.
I’ve heard this saying most of my life and knew what it meant, but your explanation is excellent. I’ve tumbled from my “high horse” a time or two. It’s a painful lesson, but a good one. Thank you for sharing.
Your experience sounds like mine, Katherine. Those tumbles hurt, but the lessons last. Thank you for your kind words.